System And Method For Intelligent Label Printer Control

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for intelligently printing labels based on order data are described. One example method includes receiving order data at a receipt printer. The receipt printer may be communicatively connected to a POS terminal adapted to receive or generate the order data from an operator&#39;s entries. The order data may then be transmitted to a label printer and processed at the label printer to generate corresponding label data. The label printer may generate the label data with reference to a plurality of pre-defined templates. In addition to or as part of generating label data, the label printer may also generate customer data based on the order data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/917,470, filed on May 11, 2007.

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to intelligent label printer control. Morespecifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods andsystems for intelligently printing labels based on data extracted from asales transaction.

2. The Relevant Technology

In a sales transaction a customer might place an order at one locationand pick up the order at a different location. Such arrangements arefound, for example, in a drive-through lane of a restaurant. However,cashiers and customers at each location can frequently confuse orders ormisidentify items. For example, a first order may take a longer time toprepare than a second later-placed order. Thus, the second order couldaccidentally be picked up by the customer who placed the first order,especially if each ordered item's packaging is similar.

Moreover, standard packaging and/or generic labels often prevent acustomer from easily verifying delivery of the correct item. Forexample, a label such as “hamburger” does not confirm whether the cookfollowed custom instructions to include or exclude certain toppings.These problems are compounded when a customer represents a group ofpeople and must deliver each item to the correct person in the group.

Methods and systems for intelligently and conveniently labeling ordersare, therefore, desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to methods andsystems for intelligently labeling an order. Preferably, the methods andsystems provide an intelligent data link between “receipt” printers and“label” printers. The intelligent data link insures that informationprinted on an order's label matches receipt data, thereby minimizing anyhuman error being introduced into the process. By way of example,systems may include multiple printers and multiple data links toaccommodate multiple POS terminals found at typical retailestablishments. For example, many quick serve restaurants have adrive-through POS terminal and multiple walk-in POS terminals, eachhaving a receipt printer. A label printer may also be provided at eachone of various kitchen stations frequently found at such restaurants.

One example embodiment is directed to a method for intelligentlyprinting labels based on order data. The method may include receivingorder data at a receipt printer, which may be communicatively connectedto a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. The order data may then be processed,with reference to a plurality of pre-defined templates, to generatelabel data. The label data or a portion thereof may be printed at alabel printer having a communicative link to the receipt printer. Theorder data may be processed at the receipt printer, the label printer,or a separate computing device communicatively connected to the receiptprinter and the label printer.

Another example embodiment is directed to a printer adapted to implementat least a portion of the label printing method. For example, a printeris configured to include a receive port adapted to receive order datafrom a first external device and a send port adapted to send or forwardthe order data to a second external device. The send port may also beadapted to send label data, which may be generated based on the orderdata. The printer may also include a printing mechanism adapted to printat least a portion of the order data and/or at least a portion of thelabel data.

The invention may also be embodied as an order processing system, whichmay include, for example, a receipt printer and a label printercommunicatively linked through a data network to transfer order dataand/or label data from the receipt printer to the label printer. A POSterminal may be communicatively connected to the receipt printer to sendorder data entered by an operator of the POS terminal. The system mayalso include a processor adapted to generate the label data based on theorder data. The processor may be embodied as part of the receiptprinter, the label printer, or a separate computing devicecommunicatively connected to the receipt printer and the label printer.

Such systems and methods for intelligently automating the order processprovide a number of advantages over prior art solutions. For example,the order process is simplified, and the process results in accurateorder data for a given customer. Moreover, the opportunity for humanerror is reduced. Customer satisfaction, speed, and reduced costs areall realized.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

Additional features will be set forth in the description which follows,and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bythe practice of the teachings herein. Features of the invention may berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. Features of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following descriptionand appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the inventionas set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the features of the present invention, a moreparticular description of the invention will be rendered by reference tospecific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be consideredlimiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary system for implementing intelligentlabel printer control consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second exemplary system for implementingintelligent label printer control consistent with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a receipt printerconsistent with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a label printer consistentwith the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C each illustrate an intelligent labeling method that may beimplemented by the exemplary systems of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of various embodiments of theinvention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form apart hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The following description provides example embodiments of methods andsystems for intelligently labeling an order. The methods and systemsprovide an intelligent data link between receipt printers and labelprinters. Consequently, information printed on an order's label matchesreceipt data and human error is reduced. Systems may include multipleprinters and multiple data links to accommodate multiple POS terminalsfound at typical retail establishments. For example, many quick serverestaurants have a drive-through POS terminal and multiple walk-in POSterminals, each having a receipt printer. A label printer may also beprovided at each one of various kitchen stations frequently found atsuch restaurants.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system comprising a plurality of labelprinters 102 and a plurality of receipt printers 104 for implementingintelligent label printer control. One or more of label printers 102 andreceipt printers 104 may be EPSON™ TM-T88 IV printers or EPSON™ TM-L90printers. The system also may include a plurality of POS terminals 106adapted to process financial transactions, to receive order data inputby an operator, and to send the order data to receipt printers 104.Order data can be data input by an operator, such as a customer orretailer, and/or may include automatically generated data. For example,order data may include purchase price, information about purchaseditems, store identity, customer identity, and/or other financialtransaction information. POS terminals 106 may be kitchen display systemterminals or kitchen video controllers, or may be connected to suchterminals or controllers, and may each include an operator interfacesuch as a keypad, touch screen, bar code scanner, credit card scanner,and/or voice input, among other things. In one embodiment each ofreceipt printers 104 may be integral with a corresponding one of POSterminals 106.

Receipt printers 104 (or POS terminals 106 with integrated receiptprinters 104) may forward the order data to label printers 102. Data maybe transferred between receipt printers 104 and label printers 102 viacommunicative links in a network. The links may be wired, wireless, or acombination of wired and wireless connections and may include aconnection through a central switch or router 108. The network may be alocal area network structured as a bus/tree, ring, and/or star topologyimplementing a network communications standard such as universal serialbus, Ethernet, token ring, token bus, asynchronous transfer mode, fibrechannel, spread spectrum wireless, infrared, etc. Moreover, in oneembodiment connections between receipt printers 104 and label printers102 can be one-way and/or one-to-one connections. For example, each oneof receipt printers 104 may connect to a corresponding one of labelprinters 102 via a separate wired or wireless link, some or all of whichmay be two-way links, one-way links from receipt printers 104 to labelprinters 102, or some combination thereof.

Label printers 102 may include hardware and/or software elements adaptedto parse the order data received from receipt printers 104.Alternatively, receipt printers 104 or a computing device 110 connectedto the network may parse the order data prior to its transmission tolabel printers 102. The order data may be interpreted or parsed withreference to pre-defined dynamically loaded selection criteria. Theselection criteria may include information identifying items availablefor purchase at the particular retail establishment (e.g., menu items),custom selection information (e.g., no pickles, extra tomatoes, etc.),or other information, such as promotion details. The selection criteriamay be programmable so that purchasable items may be added, removed, oraltered. Thus, new items may be accommodated in the selection criteriaas they become available, older items may be phased out, customselection information may be added, removed, or changed, and/or customerinformation may be added, removed, or changed.

A display 112 may be attached to one or more of label printers 102.Displays 112 may be touch screens adapted to display label data forselection by an operator and to communicate operator selections tocorresponding label printers 102. In one embodiment displays 112 may beintegrated with corresponding label printers 102. Label printers 102 maybe controlled via displays 112 to print a subset of label data generatedfrom the order data. In addition, or alternatively, label printers 102may be controlled via displays 112 to print label data in an orderspecified by an operator. For example if a first order precedes a secondorder chronologically but the second order is ready for delivery to acustomer first, an operator may, via display 112, select label datacorresponding to the second order to be printed sooner than label datacorresponding to the first order.

The system of FIG. 1 may also include a customer database 114, which mayindex and record relationships between customer identificationinformation and customer information, among other things. For example, aretail establishment may wish to track a number of purchases made,purchase totals, unique preferences, etc, associated with its customers.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary system like that of FIG. 1 but withoutdisplays 112. In the system of FIG. 2, operation may be similar to thesystem of FIG. 1, but with label printers 102 adapted to print labeldata according to an order of receipt. This configuration may bedesirable where minimal user maintenance or intervention is preferredto, for example, save time or reduce system complexity. FIG. 2 alsodiffers from FIG. 1 in that the network is represented as a wirelessnetwork rather than a wired network.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of one of receipt printers 104. Receiptprinter 104 may include a receive (Rx) port 302, a send (Tx) port 304, aprocessor (μp) 306, a memory 308, and a printing mechanism 310. Receiveport 302 may receive order data from one of POS terminals 106. (Ifreceipt printer 104 is integrated with POS terminal 106 receive port 302may be omitted.) The order data may be transferred to processor 306where it may be processed and sent to printing mechanism 310, memory308, and/or send port 304. In some embodiments of receipt printers 104,receive port 302 and send port 304 may be combined as a singlebidirectional port.

Processor 306 may process the order data and may manage/control some orall other electronic components of receipt printer 104. Management andcontrol operations may be handled by firmware loaded in processor 306.Processing order data may include reformatting the order data so that itis compatible with another interface such as printing mechanism 310 orsend port 304. For example, a receipt may be printed by printingmechanism 310 and processor 306 may format the order data in accordancewith a receipt template, e.g., a document comprising a list or table fordesignating a particular format for printing the order data.

Memory 308 may store receipt templates and label criteria. The receipttemplate and label criteria may be dynamically selectable and may beloaded via an interface such as receive port 302 or another port adaptedto receive data from another device via, for example, a networkconnection. Dynamically selectable criteria may be stored in aconfiguration file formatted as, for example, an XML document.

Processor 306 may process the order data to generate label data byparsing and comparing the order data with triggers in the configurationfile. Then the label data may be transferred out of receipt printer 104to label printer 102 via send port 304. In certain embodiments, however,processor 306 may instead forward the order data without generatinglabel data. The order data may be processed for generation of label databy another processor external to receipt printer 104. In one embodimentprocessor 306 may be a processor on a dual interface connectivity card,which may also include receive port 302 and send port 304.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of one of label printers 102 and an optionaltouch screen 402 connected thereto. Label printer 102 may include areceive (Rx) port 402, a bidirectional send and receive (Rx/Tx) port404, a processor (μp) 406, a memory 408, and a printing mechanism 410.Receive port 402 may receive order data transmitted over a network linkby a receipt printer 104. The order data may be transferred to processor406 where it may be processed to generate label data. The label data maybe sent to printing mechanism 410, memory 408, and/or send port 404.

Processor 406 may process the order data and may manage/control some orall other electronic components of label printer 102. Management andcontrol operations may be handled by firmware loaded in processor 406.As discussed above with reference to FIG. 3, processing order data mayinclude reformatting the order data so that it is compatible withanother interface such as printing mechanism 410 or bidirectional portal404. For example, a label may be printed by printing mechanism 410 andprocessor 406 may format the order data in accordance with dynamicallyselectable label criteria.

Memory 408 may store the label criteria, among other things. The labelcriteria may be dynamically selectable and may be loaded via aninterface such as receive port 402 or another port adapted to receivedata from another device via, for example, a network connection. Thedynamically selectable label criteria may be provided in the form of aconfiguration file, which may be formatted as, for example, an XMLdocument having options, templates, and/or rules. The rules may includetriggers and actions. The following is an exemplary format that anoption portion of the configuration file may have:

<UpdateFlash> BOOLEAN </UpdateFlash> <DebugIP>nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn</DebugIP><RemoteIP1> nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn </RemoteIP1> <RemoteIP2> nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn</RemoteIP2> <DebugOutput>BOOLEAN</DebugOutput> <OrientLocal> BOOLEAN</OrientLocal> <OrientRemote> BOOLEAN </OrientRemote><NumLineFeed>n</NumLineFeed> <PrintLogo> BOOLEAN </PrintLogo><LogoStart>n</LogoStart> <LogoStop>n</LogoStop> <PrintBanner> BOOLEAN</PrintBanner> <BannerStart>n</BannerStart> <BannerStop>n</BannerStop><Banner>Banner Text </Banner>

The following is an exemplary format that a template portion of theconfiguration file may have:

<UpdateFlash>BOOLEAN</UpdateFlash> <Templates>   <Template>     <Item>      <Key>Match Key</Key>       <Text>Representation</Text>     </Item>    <Item>       <Key>Match Key</Key>       <Text>Representation</Text>    </Item>   </Template>   <Template_n>     <Item>         <Key>MatchKey</Key>         <Text>Representation</Text>     </Item>     <Item>        <Key>Match Key</Key>         <Text>Representation</Text>    </Item>   </Template_n> </Templates>

Finally, a rule portion of the configuration file may have the followingexemplary format:

<UpdateFlash>BOOLEAN</UpdateFlash> <Rules>   <Search>    <Pipes>in,temp</Pipes>     <DefaultPrint>BOOLEAN</DefaultPrint>    <Rule>       <Trigger>Template Match Key{x} {y}</Trigger>      <Action> Template Representation{x} {y}</Action>     </Rule>    <Rule>       <Trigger> Template Match Key {x} {y}</Trigger>      <Trigger n>Template Match Key {n} {m}</Trigger n>        <Action>Template Representation{x} {y} </Action>       <Action n> TemplateRepresentation {n} {m}</Action n>     </Rule>   </Search>   <Search n>    <Pipes>temp n,out</Pipes>     <DefaultPrint>BOOLEAN</DefaultPrint>    <Rule>       <Trigger> Template Match Key {x} {y}</Trigger>      <Action>> Template Representation </Action>     </Rule>     <Rule>      <Trigger>Template{x} {y}</Trigger>       <Trigger n>Template{n}{m}</Trigger n>        <Action> Template Representation{x} {y} </Action>      <Action n> Template Representation {n} {m}</Action n>     </Rule>  </Search n>   </Rules>

Processor 406 may process the order data to generate label data byparsing and comparing the order data with configuration file templates(denoted as “triggers” in the rule portion above). For example, aconfiguration file may include, in its template portion, textrepresentations of various items that can be purchased and/or customcharacteristics of such items. The rule portion may reference (e.g.,using match key tags) the template portion of the configuration file todefine triggers that will cause an action to take place. As a result,when order data matches text data listed in the template portion of theconfiguration file, a particular corresponding action, e.g., generationof corresponding label data, may take place. As discussed previously,the template portion may be dynamically selectable so that, for example,new custom characteristics may be added at any time. Access to templatesmay be restricted by, for example, password protecting the configurationfile.

As one example of how order data may be processed, the configurationfile may include match keys corresponding to “hamburger” and “nopickles” in the template portion and a rule corresponding to each of thematch keys in the rule portion. Thus, if an order for a hamburger withno pickles is placed by a customer the rules of the configuration filewill operate to compare the order data with one or more of the templatesin the configuration file. If “hamburger” and “no pickles” arerecognized as matching a template in the configuration file,corresponding label data may be generated.

Label data may include a trade name for an item. For example, if theorder data includes “hamburger,” the corresponding label data may be atrade name such as “Joe's Burger.” In addition, label data may be thesame as or very similar to its corresponding order data. For example, ifthe order data includes “no pickles,” the corresponding label data maybe the same data, i.e., “no pickles,” or an abbreviation thereof, e.g.,“NP.” Moreover, although a single ordered item has been described inthis example, label data may include data corresponding to multipleordered items.

Instead of generating label data, processor 406 may instead receivelabel data from an external device via receive port 402. Thus, the labeldata may be generated by another processor, e.g., processor 306 ofreceipt printer 104, or by computing device 110, which may be positionedin the network so as to receive order data from one or more of receiptprinters 104, process the order data to generate label data, andtransmit the label data to one or more of label printers 104. Moreover,receive port 402 and bidirectional port 404 of label printer 102 may becombined as a single bidirectional input/output port in certainembodiments. Once label data has been generated or received, it may beprinted via printing mechanism 410.

Input and output devices, such as touch screen 412, may be integratedwith or communicatively connected with label printer 104. Touch screen412 or a similar device may permit an operator to select variousoptions, such as which label data to include on a particular label or anorder for printing labels. For example, label printer 102 may receivelabel print jobs in a queue or spool and the order of print jobs mayneed to be rearranged to allow, for example, for different orderpreparation speeds. Alternatively, to reduce complexity or a likelihoodof user error, touch screen 412 may be omitted and label printer 102 maybe adapted to print labels according to an order of receipt, i.e., firstcome first serve.

Customer information may be stored in memory 308 of receipt printer 104and/or memory 408 of label printer 102. Customer information stored inmemories 308 and/or 408 may reflect customer information stored incustomer information database 114, which may be communicatively attachedto printers 102 and 104. In this manner, printers 102 and/or 104 mayprint receipts and/or labels that include updated customer information,such as promotional items for a given customer based on buying habits,etc. For example, a receipt or label may include a coupon for thecustomer based on buying habits and the like.

In one embodiment, receipt printer 104 may receive customer identifyinginformation from POS terminal 106. The customer identification may betransferred to customer information database 114 to retrieve informationassociated with the customer identification. Alternatively, POS terminal106 may interface with customer information database 114, receivecustomer information, and forward the information to receipt printer104. In yet another embodiment, customer information may be forwarded byreceipt printer 104 to label printer 102 with or separately from theorder data or label data, as the case may be, and label printer 102 maybe adapted to interface with customer information database 114 toretrieve information based on the customer information. Once theappropriate information has been retrieved or received by receiptprinter 104 or label printer 102, the information (such as a promotion,coupon, etc.) may be printed on a receipt or label to be given to thecustomer.

FIGS. 5A-5C show different methods that may be implemented by either ofthe systems in FIGS. 1 and 2 to intelligently generate and print labels.In FIG. 5A, order data is first received at a first printer, such as oneor more of receipt printers 104 (stage 502). A receipt may be printed atthe first printer based on the received order data (stage 504). Forexample, the first printer at which order data is received may formatthe order data in accordance with a receipt template that may include,for example, purchase price, information on purchased items, storeidentity, customer identity, and/or other financial transactioninformation. Next, the order data may be processed at the first printerto generate label data (stage 506-a). The label data may be generated asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, the orderdata may be parsed and compared to dynamically selectable labelcriteria, which may be provided in the form of a configuration filehaving options, templates, and/or rules. Once generated, the label datamay be printed at a second printer, such as one or more of labelprinters 102, which is communicatively linked to the first printer(stage 508).

The method of FIG. 5B may be similar to that of FIG. 5A, but instead ofprocessing order data at the first printer, the order data may beprocessed at the second printer. Thus, after receiving order data (stage502) and printing a receipt (stage 504), the order data may be forwardedto a second printer, such as one or more of label printers 102 (stage506-b 1), where it may be processed to generate label data (stage 506-b2). As in FIG. 5A, the label data may then be printed at the secondprinter (stage 508). In this exemplary method, a memory portion of thesecond printer may be loaded with a configuration file havingdynamically selectable criteria and the processor of the second printermay be equipped to parse the order data and compare it with thecriteria.

As a third exemplary method, shown in FIG. 5C, order data may beprocessed at a network device connected to the first and secondprinters. After receiving order data (stage 502) and printing a receipt(stage 504), the order data may be forwarded from the first printer to anetwork device, such as computing device 110, communicatively connectedthereto, for processing (stage 506-c 1). The network device may processthe order data to generate label data in accordance with the techniquesdescribed above (stage 506-c 2) and the label data may be forwarded tothe second printer (stage 506-c 3) for printing (stage 508).

Stages of FIGS. 5A-5C may be modified in various ways. For example, theorder of stages may be varied, certain stages may be omitted and/oradditional stages may be added. The stages may be implemented or mayoccur at the same frequency or at differing frequencies. For example,printing a receipt at the first printer (stage 504) may be omitted fromeach of the methods or may performed after one or more subsequent stageshave been performed. Moreover, in other exemplary methods, stages fromeach of the methods of FIGS. 5A-5C may be included. For example, atleast some of the order data may be processed at the first printer, thenetwork device, and/or the second printer. Thus, portions of the labeldata may be generated at a combination of the first printer, the networkdevice, and/or the second printer.

In addition, methods in each of FIGS. 5A-5C may optionally includeprocessing the order data to identify a customer based on the order dataand updating program data associated with the customer. Customerinformation may be stored in a remote customer information database. Theinformation associated with the customer identified by the order datamay be updated to include portions of the order data or otherinformation related to the order data, such as purchase amount,purchased items, etc. Each exemplary method may also include receiving,at the second printer, a user selection of a portion of the label datato be printed. For example, the second printer may be equipped with aninput/output device such as a touch screen, which may display a defaultlabel to be printed. The second printer may receive, via the touchscreen, a user selection of which portions of the default label to printand/or which portions to omit. In addition, entry of additionalinformation to be printed with the label data may be received via thetouch screen.

Example embodiments of methods and systems for intelligently labeling anorder have been described. Although embodiments have been described foruse in a restaurant scenario, the principles may be applied in othersimilar contexts where multiple printers are communicatively linked.

Exemplary embodiments may comprise a special purpose or general-purposecomputer including various computer hardware implementations.Embodiments may also include computer-readable media for carrying orhaving computer-executable instructions or data structures storedthereon. Such computer-readable media can be any available media thatcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By wayof example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media cancomprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to carry or store desired program code means inthe form of computer-executable instructions or data structures andwhich can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.When information is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. Although the subject matter has been described inlanguage specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, itis to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appendedclaims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actsdescribed above. Rather, the specific features and acts described aboveare disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. A method for printing label data based on order data, the methodcomprising: receiving the order data at a first printer; processing theorder data to generate label data; and printing at least a portion ofthe label data at a second printer having a communicative link to thefirst printer.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the firstprinter processes the order data to generate the label data.
 3. Themethod as recited in claim 1, further comprising: forwarding the orderdata from the first printer to the second printer over the communicativelink, wherein the second printer processes the order data to generatethe label data.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:receiving, at the second printer, a user selection of a portion of thelabel data to be printed.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1, whereinprocessing the order data includes comparing the order data to aplurality of pre-defined templates.
 6. The method as recited in claim 5,wherein the pre-defined templates are user programmable.
 7. The methodas recited in claim 5, wherein the pre-defined templates are stored inan XML document.
 8. The method as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising: printing a receipt based on the order data at the firstprinter.
 9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the communicativelink is a one-way link from the first printer to the second printer. 10.The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the order data is received atthe first printer from a POS terminal adapted to process financialtransactions.
 11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein processingthe order data includes identifying a customer based on the order dataand updating customer data associated with the customer.
 12. A printercomprising: a receive port adapted to receive order data from a firstdevice external to the printer; a send port adapted to send at least oneof the order data and label data that is generated based on the orderdata to a second device external to the printer; and a printingmechanism adapted to print at least a portion of the order data and/orat least a portion of the label data.
 13. The printer as recited inclaim 12, wherein the second device is adapted to process the order datasent by the printer to generate the label data.
 14. The printer asrecited in claim 12, further comprising a processor adapted to processthe order data to generate the label data.
 15. The printer as recited inclaim 14, wherein the processor is adapted to generate the label data bycomparing the order data to a plurality of pre-defined templates. 16.The printer as recited in claim 15, wherein the pre-defined templatesare user programmable.
 17. The printer as recited in claim 15, whereinthe pre-defined templates are stored in an XML document.
 18. The printeras recited in claim 15, wherein the processor is further adapted toidentify a customer based on the order data and update customer dataassociated with the customer.
 19. A order processing system comprising:a POS terminal adapted to receive and send order data; a receipt printercommunicatively connected to the POS terminal and adapted to receive theorder data and to print a receipt based on the order data; a processoradapted to generate label data based on the order data; a data networkincluding a communicative link adapted to transfer at least one of theorder data and the label data from the receipt printer to the labelprinter; a label printer adapted to receive the data from the receiptprinter and to print at least a portion of the label data.
 20. Thesystem as recited in claim 19, wherein the processor is integrated withat least one of: the receipt printer, the label printer, and a computingdevice communicatively connected to the data network.